Hey guys,
I'm back with another project on the bench!
This time, I've acquired 2 Italian Alcedo 2CS spin reels.
I think they are early ones due to badge style and badge being pinned to body vs glued.
One has serial number and other does not.
The pair have definitely seen better days. Both are stuck, missing parts, non working, and ugly! I got em cheap due to condition.
As seen, one has had handle replaced with a Langley Spinster butterscotch torpedo handle and the other has bail arm issues, but correct handle, so surgery begins!!
I have never seen reel internals so nasty!
One, packed solid, with white lithium grease and the other with stinky #### green gear grease. Ugh!!
No, people!!! All this does is stiffen and make moving parts work harder.
Very solid construction on these.
Fine machined gears and parts.
Agate line roller with rubber bumper on bail arm cam.
Unique wire style drag clicker,too.
The one I'm restoring, is marked, "T/73" on foot and side cover. Assembler mark, I assume.
25 loose handset ball bearings on this girl.
11 on inner race and 14 on outer race.
Got all stripped, cleaned, and ready for paint.
The alloy finish was so oxidized and gray and no matter what I tried or did would shine to my satisfaction, so I decided to paint her.
I left handle alloy.
Taped a/r button, as it was pinned and non removable. Also taped body cavity and foot stem and foot.
Used matte black on dust cover, spool, and flier internals.
Metallic blue on the body, flier bail arm mounts, and side plate cover.
I love the look of a hot rodded reel, but hate the time consuming prep for paint. Especially when it's multi color.
Paint went smoothly and all parts came out nicely.
Reassembly is on the horizon! Stay tuned for final pictures!
Peace!
Hey Billy,
I see you do repaint some of the reels you restore. Very cool.
Any tips on color matching?
Quote from: Coffee on September 06, 2025, 03:22:43 PMHey Billy,
I see you do repaint some of the reels you restore. Very cool.
Any tips on color matching?
I usually just take the reel cover plate with me to auto parts store to match as close as possible by eye. I usually use Dupli-Color.
Sometimes I don't even try to match factory color and go with something totally different or just plain bare alloy.
Love the kingfisher logo 8)
Hey all!
Well, I spent the afternoon wrapping up the assembly of the Alcedo 2CS after completing the stripdown and repaint/ restore.
Everything went together easily, as I had already completed stripdown of 3 CarGem Mignon ultralight reels recently and they are basically built the same minus a few differences.
Handsetting bearing assemblies went fine with no problems. Got that down pat!
I applied adhesive glue to the backside of the badge to keep it firmly in place.
Reinstalling the badge was one of the hold your breath moments, as the fragile holding tabs can only be bent so many times!! Phew! Cinched down tightly without breaking!
I also used my letter punches to initial the thin brass washer on non rotating shaft.
Very subtle A/R click to this one and drag has a nice click, too.
All brightwork and badging really stands out against the blue paint and I like the contrast of the black spool and inner flier.
It looks like it's gonna be an Italian kind of fishing trip in the near future!
Peace!!
More pictures
Final assembly pictures
Super cool Sir.
What a labor of love!
You look at these reels and see all the unique parts & designs & know that we will almost surely never see anything like his built new again in the future. Truly, working with history.
Putzing with those loose ball bearings is the ultimate in dedication.
Thanks for sharing this.
Frank
Quote from: happyhooker on September 10, 2025, 03:44:14 PMWhat a labor of love!
You look at these reels and see all the unique parts & designs & know that we will almost surely never see anything like his built new again in the future. Truly, working with history.
Putzing with those loose ball bearings is the ultimate in dedication.
Thanks for sharing this.
Frank
Agreed. That's why I love these old basket cases. Basically a reel that was junk, as is, but now a fully functioning 70 year old antique beauty!
Thanks for the words of encouragement!!
Well done! Alcedos can truly test one's patience. :D
I like the fact that if you're going to repaint an old collectable vintage reel you repaint them in colors & combinations far from those of the originals. As I've said numerous times, I'm not a fan of repainting collectable spinning reels, but obvious non-original colors isn't quite so bad as they won't be mistaken as original.
Quote from: Midway Tommy on September 11, 2025, 05:20:23 AMWell done! Alcedos can truly test one's patience. :D
I like the fact that if you're going to repaint an old collectable vintage reel you repaint them in colors & combinations far from those of the originals. As I've said numerous times, I'm not a fan of repainting collectable spinning reels, but obvious non-original colors isn't quite so bad as they won't be mistaken as original.
I only do a repaint or alloy finish,if reel is a second one I own or if it's like this one. Plain ugly and busted.
I've been hazed for some of my Altex paints, but hey, they're getting used and not just in a box somewhere and I would never do a touch up or repaint and try to pass off as anything but that.
Whoever gets my reel collection when I'm gone, will have a nice selection of original and hot rodded reels to enjoy, just as I have.
I love doing what I do and no matter the finish, the end result is a decades old reel catching fish in the 21st century!
Thanks for the kind words, Tommy!
Nice work Woodbilly, and thanks for sharing. Enjoyed reading and seeing these reels come back to life.
Quote from: MACflyer on September 11, 2025, 11:27:46 AMNice work Woodbilly, and thanks for sharing. Enjoyed reading and seeing these reels come back to life.
Thanks, man! I love detailing the stripdown process, not only for others, but just for myself, as many of the reels I work on have no documented process anywhere online or elsewhere.